HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-05-17, Page 21THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989. PAGE 21.
Do-It-Yourselfers can learn to build with brick
Would you like a brick bar-b-
que, a masonry planter or wall for
your garden, or a masonry retain
ing wall? Anyone who wants to can
work with brick or blocks well, to
make structures that are both
useful and good looking.
Choose the location carefully;
make sure the area is well drained
and tree roots will not be a
problem. Also make sure you check
building codes, local by-laws and
your property line.
1. To illustrate the approach we
will use a planter project. The
supporting slab starts with a trench
10 to 12 inches deep and 36 inches
wide (to allow for two, 16 inch
concrete blocks and a two inch
allowance on each side). Dig the
trench slightly longer than the
planter desired. Fill the bottom of
the trench with six inches of
crushed stone or gravel. Then
assemble forms to make a 36 inch
wide by four to six inch deep slab.
Place a 1/2” steel reinforcing bar
into the forms approximately every
four feet that will extend about 12
inches above the slab. Check your
spacing so that the reinforcing bars
will fit through the cavities in the
concrete blocks.
Greenhouses extend season
Greenhouses are designed to
provide optimum conditions for
growing plants over an extended
season. Auxiliary heating is requir
ed to maintain temperatures when
insufficient solar energy is avail
able. In addition, humidity and
condensation must be carefully
controlled to avoid moisture pro
Mix and place a concrete mix
(available from your local building
supplies dealer) into your local
prepared forms. In the final
smoothing of the slab, taper the
edges of the concrete downward
very slightly - no more than 1/8
inch - to provide a runoff for excess
moisture.
Keep the concrete moist for 48 -
72 hours then remove the forms.
Mark a baseline 2 inches from the
front of the slab with a chalk-line.
Lay out the first layer of blocks,
allowing 3/8 inch between each.
Use a pencil and mark their
location on the slab. Drive stakes at
the corners of the project and
stretch string lines between them
at the proper height for the first
layer.
Dampen the slab with clean
water. Mix mortar mix - just add
water. All materials are available at
your local building supplies retail
er.
2. Start at one corner and trowel
a 3/4 inch bed of mortar just
behind the chalk-line long enough
for 3 or 4 blocks. It should be the
full width of the block you have
chosen for your project. For this
blems.
Greenhouses often consume
more auxiliary energy than they
collect from the sun and therefore
can be a net energy liability.
However, the benefits of having an
area dedicated to growing plants
and vegetables can outweigh the
energy costs.
planter, 4” x 4” x 16” concrete
blocks are recommended. Lay the
first corner block and tap it level.
Butter the end of the next block and
press it down into the mortar
against the first block creating a
3/8 inch joint. This first corner will
provide the reference for the
balance of your wall. Plumb the
corner in both directions using a
level and a straight edge.
3. Next do the other corners,
making sure the tops of the blocks
are level with your string line. Lay
more mortar and fill in the first
layer of blocks. Joints between
subsequent layers of blocks should
only be about 3/8 inch thick. Once
the first layer is complete start
building up the corners. Use level
and straight edge frequently.
With the help of a mason’s string
line fill in the layers between the
corners, cutting off excess mortar
with an upward sweep of the
trowel. When you reach the chosen
height for your planter, cap the
walls with a solid block.
Let the mortar set “thumb
print” hard then finish all joints in
a V-shape or concave fashion. Wipe
off any drippings with a clean
burlap cloth.
Allow a few days for the mortar
to set then parge the inside of the
WICKER,
RATTAN
a BURI
Visit our second floor for a h
selection of Wicker, Buri & Rattan.
...Wehavepricesthataresureto
please you!
P.S. Hard to find pieces are our
specialty and we're pleased to order
items anytime it's out of stock.
planter with about a 1/2 inch
thickness of a mortar mix. This will
prevent roots and moisture from
penetrating the exterior of the
planter. Allow this coating to set
for three or four days.
Now place your soil mixture into
the completed planter and add the
flowers and shrubs. Sit back and
enjoy your project.
Christmas
Now Lease To Own!You figure out the leasing terms
thatbestsuityou, then make your
payments quarterly or monthly.c/lriens
x OR
POWER
CHARGE
WITH
15%
DOWN
makes your best deal
even better
Walk Behind
Lawn Mower
Make your best deal
on an ARIENS
andARIENS
CANADA LTD.
will send you a
refund cheque
up to $ 1 50.00
depending on
model
purchased
Yard Tractor
MODEL 2381
(Sno* Thrower
Idol Orsiy)
MODEL 3541
(ftimmef/HruSN Cu'Mi
Tool Only)/
/ MODEL 2371
y' (Cultivator Ttx-J Oilyi MODEL 2351
(Edger Tool Onlyi
7
f '
MODEL 2361
(Blower Too! Only)
See >Ov' poit.cipoimg ARIENS
deolei lor compile oe'oilj —
and osk hm oboul h<s
"No Down Poymen1' -
Revolving Pu'Choie Plan
Riding Lown Mower
Expand Your Yard Care Tools.
From Season To Season.
Expand-it commercial yard care equipment—The Green
chines powerful response to the tough DAILY and SEA-
NAL maintenance demands of the professional landscaper
. series of five interchangeable yard care tools String
Tnmmer/Brush Cutter, Edger. Blower. Weeder/Cultivator and
Snow T-hrower engineered for maximum efficiency and com-
High-performance yard-care tools
fort The commercial quality quiet disconnect coupler is
designed for fast equipment changes All five are driven by
one powerful lightweight 24 1cc 2 cycle engine Power when
you need it—from season to season—The Green Machine.
Expand-lf System
Get Factory Rebates Now 'til June 30, 1989
New Store Hours MON.-SAT. 9 am.-5 p.m.
TRIPPLE-T SMALL ENGINE
REPAIRS & SALES
OPEN
BEHIND B & G ELECTRIC IN BRUSSELS
Dave Goodland - Call 887-9627